ed the group.

"I suppose, Mr. Brooke," he said, "your newly-found cousin has told
you about his adventure with the leopard?"

"No, Colonel, he has not said anything about a leopard."

"He is grievously afflicted with modesty," the colonel went on;
"and so I will tell it for him, for I think you ought to know that
he is not only able to speak half a dozen languages, but that he is
capable of doing deeds of exceptional gallantry.

"You can go and chat with the colonel, Brooke. He is anxious to
hear your report as to the country, and I will be your trumpeter
here."

Stanley gladly moved away, and entered into conversation with the
colonel of the 47th; while Colonel Adair related his adventures
with the leopard to his cousin, and the officers standing round.

"By Jove, that was a plucky thing!" Harry Brooke said, admiringly.

"It was, indeed!" the colonel agreed, as similar exclamations went
round the circle. "I don't think one man in a hundred would have
attacked a leopard with no weapon but a knife, except to save the
life of a comrade; even then, it would be a most desperate action.
I have done a good deal of big-game shooting, in India; but I am
certain that nothing but a strong affection, for a comrade in the
grasp of a leopard, would induce me to risk almost certain death in
the way your cousin did. We should never have heard of it, if we
had not got the details from the man he saved, and who has since
attached himself to him as a servant; and is the man who, as I
daresay he did tell you, served as his companion and guide in
making his way down here. At any rate you see, Brooke, your cousin
is an uncommonly fine young fellow, and you have reason to be proud
of the relationship."

"I feel so, Colonel; and it is really a pleasure to know that, if
one does go down, a thoroughly good fellow will benefit by it,
instead of some unknown person who might be a very objectionable
representative of the family."

For the next three or four days, the bustle of preparations went on
and, on the fifth, a detachment was sent up, with a sloop and
gunboats, to attack an advanced position of the enemy on the Lyne
river. Although the 3000 Burmese, who were posted in a strong
stockade, were supported by thirty-six guns; the works were carried
by storm, with little loss.

The two branches of the Pellang (or Rangoon) river, by which the
force were to advance against Donabew were, on the following day,
reconnoitred for some dis